Every smartphone user Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO inevitably encounters intrusive pop-ups during gameplay. Developers are introducing advertising modules to monetize free content, but in the ecosystem MIUI and new HyperOS the situation is aggravated by its own system recommendations. This is not only annoying, but also reduces the device's performance by consuming bandwidth and CPU resources in the background.
There are several proven ways to get rid of this digital noise, ranging from simple menu switches to advanced network-level blocking techniques. You don't have to be a programmer to customize your gadget. In this article, we will look at how to remove ads in games on Android Xiaomi, using both standard system tools and third-party utilities to maximize interface cleaning.
The effectiveness of each method varies depending on the firmware version and the specific model of your smartphone. Some solutions require a connection to a computer, others work instantly. We will consider all options so that you can choose the most suitable one for your situation and level of technical training.
Disabling MSA system advertising
The main source of system recommendations is the service MSA (MIUI System Ads). It is he who is responsible for displaying banners in standard applications and sometimes overlaps the interface of third-party games. To completely deactivate it, you need to go to the permissions settings. Go to menu Settings → Passwords and security → Data access.
In the list that opens, find the item msa and switch the slider to the inactive position. The system will count down for 10 seconds, after which you will be asked to confirm shutdown. If the service does not turn off the first time, repeat the procedure several times in a row - this is a known feature of system protection.
⚠️ Attention: After disabling MSA, some personalization functions in themes and the application store may not work correctly. The system will continue to offer content, but without targeted advertising.
In addition to the main service, it is worth checking other system components that can broadcast advertising content. In the same “Data Access” menu, find and disable the following services:
- 📱 GetApps —a branded application store that often sends notifications about discounts.
- 📊 Analytics —a statistics collection service, which is also used for targeting.
- 🔍 MIUI Daemon —a background process responsible for collecting data about device usage.
Disabling these components will significantly reduce the load on RAM. You will notice that your smartphone runs smoother and the number of background processes has decreased. This is especially true for budget models with limited capacity RAM.
Setting up personalized advertising and recommendations
Even after turning off the MSA service, the system can continue to show recommendations based on your preferences. To stop collecting data for these purposes, you must change your privacy settings. Open section Settings → Passwords and security → Privacy.
Inside this menu, find the item “Advertising service” or “Advertising services”. The critical “Personalized Advertising” switch is located here. Disable it to reset your advertising ID. It is also recommended to click the “Reset advertising identifier” button to clear the accumulated data.
| Parameter | Default value | Recommended value | Impact on the system |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personalization | Enabled | Disabled | Reduces targeting accuracy |
| Activity history | Saved | Clear | Increases privacy |
| Folder recommendations | Active | Inactive | Removes application suggestions |
| Automatic updates | Via Wi-Fi | Manual | Traffic control |
Next, you should disable recommendations in the folders themselves on the desktop. Go to any application folder, click on its name and find the “Recommendations” switch. Disabling this function will remove intrusive offers to download new games directly inside the catalogs of your apps.
If you cannot find the “Advertising Service” item, try changing the smartphone region to “India” or “USA” in the “Advanced” → “Region” settings. In some locations, these settings are placed in a separate menu.
Using private DNS for blocking
One of the most effective and safest methods of combating advertising is the use of DNS filtering. This method does not require the installation of third-party applications and works at the network connection level, blocking requests to known ad servers. This is especially useful for free games that load banners from the web.
To configure, go to menu Settings → Connection and sharing → Private DNS. The default mode here is “Auto”. You need to select the DNS Provider Hostname option and enter the trusted filter address. One of the most popular and stable solutions is the service from AdGuard.
dns.adguard.comAfter entering the address, save the settings. Now all your smartphone's DNS requests will go through filters that automatically cut off domains known to be sources of advertising and trackers. This solution is universal and suitable for any version Android, starting from version 9.
⚠️ Attention: Using a third-party DNS may slightly increase the ping in online games. If you notice delays in multi-user projects, temporarily return the settings to Auto or Disabled.
The advantage of this method is that it works globally. It blocks ads not only in games, but also in the browser, news aggregators and other applications. In this case, the battery is consumed more economically than when using VPN blocking applications, since all traffic is not encrypted.
☑️ Checking DNS settings
Limiting the background activity of gaming applications
Many free games continue to run in the background even after release, collecting data and loading advertising modules for the next launch. To prevent this, you can severely limit their capabilities through the battery settings. This will not remove advertising completely, but will make its appearance less frequent and predictable.
Go to Settings → Applications → All applications and select a specific game. Go to the “Activity Control” or “Battery Saver” section. Set the value to "No restrictions" only for those games where background notifications are important to you (for example, instant messengers within games). For others, select "Limit background activity."
You should also revoke unnecessary permissions in this menu. Often games will ask for access to your contacts, location, or microphone without a clear need. The less data an app can collect about you, the less valuable your audience becomes to advertisers, and the less advertising you may receive in the long run.
For advanced users, there is the option of completely freezing apps that you are not using right now. However, this method should be used with caution with games, as it may reset progress or require re-authorization each time you start.
Limiting background activity not only saves battery power, but also prevents hidden loading of advertising content while you are using other apps.
Advanced blocking via ADB
If standard settings do not give the desired result, you can use the tool ADB (Android Debug Bridge). This method allows you to remove or disable system components at a deep level without the need to obtain rootrights. To do this, you will need a computer and USB debugging enabled on your smartphone.
First activate developer mode. Go to Settings → About phone and quickly click 7 times on the item “MIUI Version” or “OS Version”. Then, in the advanced settings, enable USB Debugging. Connect your phone to your PC and enter the following command in the command line of your computer to disable the advertising package:
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.misysThis command deactivates the system service that is responsible for many types of internal advertising. You can also disable the component responsible for recommendations in the interface:
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.daemonUsing ADB requires care. Entering incorrect commands may result in system instability or loss of certain functions, such as the ability to download themes. Always check the package name before disabling it. If something goes wrong, you can return everything back with the command pm enable with the same package name.
List of packages safe to disable
com.miui.analytics (Analytics), com.miui.personalassistant (Widget Feed), com.miui.msa.global (Global Advertising). Do not disable system launchers or Google Play services.
Third-party solutions and game modes
In firmware HyperOS and the latest versions of MIUI, a powerful “Game Turbo” is built in. It doesn't block ads within the game's code, but it can block pop-up notifications from other apps that often masquerade as ads or interrupt gameplay. Add your games to this mode through the Security application.
To block ads directly inside application windows, you can use local VPN filters, such as Blokada or AdGuard (Android version). Unlike the DNS method, these applications create a local tunnel and filter traffic in more detail using host lists. They are capable of cutting out advertising blocks even in cases where DNS is powerless.
However, installing such applications has its own nuances. They constantly work in the background, which can consume an additional 3-5% of battery power per day. In addition, the system may try to terminate their process to save energy, so you need to add a filter to the battery exceptions.
⚠️ Attention: Some anti-cheat systems in online games may perceive VPN filters as third-party cheating software and block the game from starting. In such cases, the filter will have to be disabled for the duration of the session.
The choice between system settings, DNS and third-party applications depends on your priorities: maximum system cleanliness or maintaining the stability of all services. Combining the DNS method with disabling MSA usually gives the optimal balance.
Before installing third-party blockers, download them only from the official developer sites. Versions from Google Play often have reduced functionality due to store policies.
Frequently asked questions
Will removing advertising affect the operation of paid functions in games?
No, blocking ads via DNS or disabling system services does not affect in-game purchases. Payment gateways use other domains that are not on block lists. You will be able to buy currency and items as usual.
Is it possible to remove advertising in specific games forever?
If advertising is embedded by the game developer inside the video stream or interface (not through external servers), it cannot be removed programmatically without modifying the game file (mod) itself, which can lead to an account ban. External banners can be easily removed.
Is it safe to disable the MSA service?
Yes, it is safe. The MSA service is solely responsible for serving advertisements. Disabling it will not damage the phone, although in rare cases it may reset the settings of some themes.
Why does advertising return after a system update?
With major firmware updates, permissions and privacy settings may be reset to factory settings. After each major update, it is recommended to re-check the MSA service status and DNS settings.
Do you need to do a factory reset to remove ads?
No, a Hard Reset is not necessary. All described methods work on the current system. Resetting will delete your data, but does not guarantee that advertising will not turn on again the first time you set up without manual blocking.